The best examples of methodology examples in research papers

Instead of starting with definitions, let’s go straight to examples of methodology examples in research papers that mirror what you’ll see in actual journals and high-quality student theses.

Below, each example is written in the style of a methods section you might find in a published article. You can borrow the structure and wording, then customize the details for your own project.

Quantitative survey study: clear variables and sampling

This first example of a methodology paragraph comes from a typical undergraduate or master’s-level survey study in psychology or education.

Example (survey-based quantitative study)
This study used a cross-sectional survey design to examine the relationship between social media use and self-reported anxiety among undergraduate students at a large public university in the United States. Participants were recruited using stratified random sampling from the university’s enrollment database to ensure representation across academic year and major. An invitation email with a unique survey link was sent to 2,000 students; 612 completed responses were received (response rate = 30.6%). Data were collected using a 32-item online questionnaire hosted on Qualtrics, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and a 10-item social media use scale adapted from prior research. All procedures were approved by the university’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). Data were analyzed in SPSS Version 29 using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression.

Why this works:

• States the design (cross-sectional survey) up front.
• Explains sampling (stratified random, response rate included).
• Names instruments (GAD-7) and platform (Qualtrics).
• Mentions ethics (IRB approval) and analysis tools (SPSS, regression).

This is one of the best examples to copy if your study uses questionnaires, Likert scales, and basic statistical analysis.

Qualitative interview study: depth, not numbers

Qualitative methodology examples in research papers look very different. Instead of sample size calculations and regression, you see words like thematic analysis, coding, and saturation.

Example (semi-structured interview study)
This qualitative study employed a phenomenological approach to explore high school teachers’ experiences with remote instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-four teachers from three public school districts in the Midwestern United States were recruited using purposive sampling to maximize variation in subject area, years of experience, and school size. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom between February and April 2024. Interviews lasted 45–75 minutes, were audio-recorded with consent, and transcribed verbatim using Otter.ai, followed by manual verification. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis. Two researchers independently coded an initial subset of transcripts to develop a preliminary codebook, then applied the refined codes to the full data set in NVivo 14. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion until consensus was reached.

Why this is a strong example of a qualitative methodology:

• Names the qualitative approach (phenomenology) explicitly.
• Explains sampling logic (purposive, maximum variation).
• Describes data collection (semi-structured, Zoom, recording, transcription).
• Clearly outlines analysis steps (thematic analysis, coding, consensus).

If you’re writing qualitative work, the best examples of methodology examples in research papers will always show how the researchers moved from raw text to themes or categories.

Mixed methods: integrating quantitative and qualitative

Mixed methods are increasingly common in education, public health, and social sciences. Here’s how examples of methodology look when you combine surveys with interviews.

Example (explanatory sequential mixed methods)
This study used an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to investigate factors associated with vaccine hesitancy among adults in a large metropolitan area in the United States. In Phase 1, a quantitative survey was administered to a convenience sample of 1,204 adults recruited from community health clinics and social media advertisements. The survey included demographic questions, items assessing vaccine attitudes, and the 10-item Vaccine Confidence Scale. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were conducted in R (version 4.4.0) to identify predictors of vaccine hesitancy. In Phase 2, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive subsample of 30 survey respondents identified as vaccine-hesitant. Interviews explored reasons for hesitancy and information sources. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically, and findings were integrated with the quantitative results during interpretation to explain patterns observed in the regression models.

Why this mixed methods example works:

• Clearly signals design type (explanatory sequential mixed methods).
• Separates Phase 1 and Phase 2 so readers can follow the sequence.
• Shows how the qualitative phase builds on the quantitative results.

If your committee keeps asking how you’ll “integrate” methods, study this style. It’s one of the best examples of methodology examples in research papers for mixed designs.

Experimental design: control, randomization, and procedure

In lab-based or intervention research, methodology examples in research papers must show control over variables and procedures.

Example (randomized controlled trial in education)
This study employed a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of a retrieval practice intervention on introductory biology students’ exam performance. Four sections of an introductory biology course at a large public university were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 182) or control (n = 176) conditions. Students in the intervention sections completed 10-minute retrieval practice quizzes at the end of each lecture using an online polling system, whereas control sections received additional worked examples covering the same content. The intervention lasted 12 weeks. Baseline GPA and prior biology coursework were collected from institutional records to control for prior achievement. The primary outcome was performance on a standardized final exam common to all sections. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with baseline GPA as a covariate, conducted in Stata 18.

Notice how this example of experimental methodology:

• Names the design (randomized controlled trial).
• Describes conditions (intervention vs. control) and what each received.
• Defines duration, outcome, and covariates.

For more on experimental standards, you can compare with examples in clinical trials from the National Institutes of Health.

Secondary data analysis: using existing datasets

Not every study collects new data. Some of the best examples of methodology examples in research papers rely on existing datasets from government or institutional sources.

Example (secondary analysis of national survey data)
This study conducted a secondary analysis of publicly available data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The analytic sample included adults aged 18 years and older (N = 29,415) with complete data on physical activity, self-rated health, and demographic variables. Variables were recoded following CDC documentation to create categories for meeting, not meeting, or exceeding recommended physical activity guidelines. All analyses accounted for the NHIS complex survey design using sampling weights, strata, and primary sampling units, implemented with the survey package in R. Logistic regression models were estimated to examine the association between physical activity and fair/poor self-rated health, controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, and income.

This example shows you how to:

• Cite the data source (NHIS, CDC) and year.
• Explain sample selection and recoding.
• Address weights and survey design.

You can see real examples of this style in CDC and NIH-supported publications, such as those linked from CDC’s data and statistics portal.

Systematic literature review: methods without primary data

Methodology examples in research papers that are literature-based still need a clear, transparent process.

Example (systematic review in education)
This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Five databases (ERIC, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global) were searched in January 2025 for English-language studies published between 2010 and 2024 examining the effects of flipped classroom models on undergraduate STEM achievement. Search strings combined terms related to flipped learning, inverted classroom, and STEM fields. After removing duplicates, 1,326 records were screened by title and abstract by two independent reviewers using Covidence. Full texts of 146 potentially eligible articles were assessed against predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Disagreements were resolved through discussion. Data from the 42 included studies were extracted using a standardized form and synthesized narratively due to heterogeneity in outcome measures.

This is a strong example of methodology for a review because it:

• Names a reporting standard (PRISMA 2020; see prisma-statement.org).
• Lists databases, time frame, and search strategy.
• Explains screening, inclusion/exclusion, and synthesis.

Methodology examples by discipline

When people look for examples of methodology examples in research papers, they often need something tailored to their field. A methods section in computer science doesn’t look identical to one in nursing or sociology.

Education research

Education papers typically mix surveys, tests, and classroom interventions. A typical education methodology might:

• Use cluster sampling of classes or schools.
• Include standardized tests or validated scales (e.g., motivation, engagement).
• Rely on multilevel modeling if students are nested within classrooms.

Many education journals hosted by universities like Harvard Graduate School of Education publish open-access articles you can mine for style.

Public health and nursing

Public health methodology examples in research papers often:

• Use cohort designs, case-control studies, or community surveys.
• Reference CDC or NIH measurement standards.
• Include power calculations and clear descriptions of exposure and outcome variables.

Nursing research frequently uses mixed methods—chart reviews plus interviews with patients or staff.

Computer science and data science

Here, methodology sections emphasize:

• Datasets (e.g., open repositories, synthetic data, institutional logs).
• Algorithms and architectures (e.g., model hyperparameters, training regime).
• Evaluation metrics (accuracy, F1-score, AUC, etc.).

The language differs, but the purpose is the same: to allow others to replicate or extend your work.

Structuring your own methods section using these examples

Looking across these best examples of methodology examples in research papers, a pattern emerges. Strong methods sections usually cover the same building blocks, just in different flavors:

• Design: survey, experiment, qualitative case study, mixed methods, secondary analysis, systematic review.
• Participants / data sources: who or what you studied, how many, and how they were selected.
• Instruments / measures: surveys, scales, interview guides, tests, or datasets.
• Procedures: what happened, step by step, in chronological order.
• Analysis: statistical tests, coding strategies, software, and decision rules.
• Ethics: IRB approval, consent, data security, and confidentiality.

When you adapt these examples of methodology examples in research papers, keep your language precise but readable. Past tense is standard ("data were collected"), and jargon should be used only when necessary and then defined.

2024–2025 trends affecting methodology sections

If you’re writing now, your methodology should also reflect current expectations:

• Transparency and reproducibility: Journals increasingly ask for detailed analysis plans and code. Mention if you preregistered your study (for example, on OSF) or made your materials available.
• Open data and code: Many researchers host datasets and scripts in repositories. Note where your data or code can be accessed, if applicable.
• AI tools in data collection and analysis: If you use AI for transcription, coding assistance, or data cleaning, you should describe how and where, and note any quality checks you used.
• Ethical focus: Especially for health, education, and social media research, reviewers expect clear attention to privacy, consent, and potential harm.

Reading recent methodology examples in research papers from 2024–2025 in your target journals is one of the fastest ways to align with these expectations.

FAQ: methodology examples in research papers

How detailed should a methodology section be?
Detailed enough that another researcher could reasonably attempt to replicate your study. The best examples of methodology examples in research papers specify sampling, instruments, procedures, and analysis methods, but avoid narrating every minor logistical detail.

Can I copy an example of a methodology section from another paper?
You can copy the structure and style, but not the wording. Use real examples of methodology as templates: note how they organize subheadings, describe participants, and report analysis. Then write your own version with your actual design and data.

What are good sources for real examples of methodology in research papers?
Look at open-access journals and repositories. Many .gov and .edu sites link to full-text studies—for instance, CDC and NIH for health, or university digital libraries for theses and dissertations. These provide authentic examples of how experienced researchers write methods.

Do all research papers need a separate methodology section?
Almost all empirical research papers do, though it may be labeled “Methods” or “Materials and Methods.” In very short articles or some theoretical pieces, methods may be embedded in other sections, but any study that collects or analyzes data should explain how.

Is there a difference between methodology and methods?
In strict terms, methods are the specific tools and procedures (surveys, interviews, regression), while methodology is the rationale for choosing them. In practice, most journals combine them in a single “Methods” or “Methodology” section. The best examples of methodology examples in research papers briefly justify the approach while clearly describing the actual methods.

By studying these real examples and adapting their structure, you’ll be able to write a methods section that not only satisfies format requirements but also convinces readers your findings are worth trusting.